What to definitely pack on RW trip...

My goodness, 35 kg? Maybe you mean 35 pounds. Wow, I take a backpack that weighs about 12 or 13 kg fully loaded, (about 27 pounds) and I stay away about 10 weeks at a time.

Ouch! Obviously not 35 kg but 35 L. My backpack usually weighs 8-9 kg - size and weight of carry on luggage.

Thanks all. My niece set off earlier this week, and by the photos she has already placed on facebook from Bangkok, I realise her idea of budget is not quite my idea of budget. The look of the hotel she is staying in certainly looks like something we would not have afforded in our early travel days, but I guess she chose something nice for a beginning; once funds begin to dwindle she might manage with something more basic!

The immersion coil idea (#18) is very handy, especially when you get a tummy bug and all you want is a nice cup of tea and not a kettle in sight!
Talking of which, we usually pack a small bottle of vodka which we would sip from every morning, which we liked to think helped sterilize whatever we ate during the day!!:)

LOL 23 - I tend to drink beer, of which I am not overly fond, when in countries where the water supply is iffy. It's safer, even safer than drinking locally made soda pop (which often more resembles syrup than soda).

If she's traveling around Asia, she should always keep tissues and wet wipes with her at all times. Many places don't provide toilet paper, and this definitely comes in handy. If she's also going to a tropical place, I'd recommend bringing mosquito repellent and maybe some sort of ointment for bites.

I had to comment about the power adaptor. If you forget it, you can by them anywhere in the world and they're not that expensive.

Depends on where you are and what country your appliances come from. I was unable to find anything appropriate in Athens, where I was stuck for over a week.

Hi - had to add the ONE thing that I will always pack as I have passed this tip on to many backpackers along the way who have always commented on it as a great idea - a dry sack! The most INVALUABLE travel item. Apart from keeping all of your belongings completely dry - you can:
Take it swimming with you so you don't have to leave your valuables on the beach
Take on boats etc to keep everything safe and waterproof
Use it as a beach bag or carry bag when you don't want to take out your day pack (as it has a clip fastening, you can also use this to clip it to chairs / tables etc when in restaurants etc to keep it safe and 'ungrabbable'
Put your clothes into inside your rucksack to keep them dry and protected if travelling in the rain or damp
Use as a pillow case if cleanliness is questionable at your hostel / accommodation
Use AS a pillow on the beach or when sleeping as you can fill with air and inflate to a comfortable size
Use to do washing - a trick I learnt from another traveller, put your smalls in with water and an adequate amount of soap/washing powder, seal and shake - works just like a mini washing machine!

I line my backpack with a large plastic gardening/garbage bag, so when it rains everything is protected. I also pack things in zip-lock bags for extra protection, and this also makes it easier to find things because you can see through the bags and I am one messy packer.

Ozzie, I'm sure you can find an all-purpose adaptor in Australia; my Australian niece bought one here in Vancouver because the small individual adaptor she was using wasn't strong enough for her laptop, but the multipurpose one was, and she now uses it in Oz and elsewhere. I haven't got around to that yet as I have a set of the smaller individual adaptors and only take the one or two I might need on any given trip. As I don't travel with a laptop they have been sufficient for whatever I've used them with (usually the immersion coil). But the multi-purpose adaptor is a better bet and as I'll be taking a digital camera to Sols next time I go (with a film backup) I will want the multi-purpose one, just in case. The 'just in case' being mostly just in case I can find an electrical outlet!

Pictures - some may be required for visas. And people always ask what your mother, father, siblings, etc look like. I'd rather not pass my phone/camera around in group so people can look. And sometimes when you're lonely (this IS Lonely Planet after all) it's nice to have a reminder of people who care about you. I used to carry a stack of 100+ pictures of my friends and family, although a topless picture of my girlfriend almost got me in trouble when I was entering Iran. After passing it around to a dozen other officials to look at he drew a big red "X" across the picture and gave it back. ;-)

Check your credit and debit cards and find out which ones work in which countries and what the fees are. I have one US card that adds a couple dollars to every purchase I make in Canada :-(

I did a lot of "back packing" with a Samsonite suitcase and polished shoes and was invited a lot of places that I might not have otherwise gone. Especially in places like India where back packers may not be seen in the best light. Plus, with a light cable lock through the handle I didn't need to worry as much while sleeping on a train or bus.

If you are going to see things it doesn't matter what you wear, if you are going to meet interesting people, it does.

Eric

"Travelers don't know where they are going, tourists don't know where they've been." Paul Theroux